Running and like athletic shoe



June 1, 1937. e. M. BUTLER RUNNING AND LIKE ATHLETIC SHOE Filed D90. 14,1935 v INVENTOR G. M. BUTLER W a/z ATTORNEY Patented June 1, 1937UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE Application December 14, 1935, Serial No.54,362 In Great Britain December 15, 1934 4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in running and like athleticshoes.

An essential feature of a running shoe to which my invention isspecially applicable, is that it must be an accurate and close fit tothe foot since otherwise when in use, there will be a tendency for it toslip on the foot.

Mainly for this reason it has been necessary in order to obtain a wellfitting shoe to have it made entirely by hand to precise measurementswhich increases the expense more especially if several pairs of shoesare required as is often the case when running under differentconditions and on diiferenttracks.

The object of the present invention is to provide a running shoe capableof manufacture in standard sizes which can be quickly put on andadjusted to the necessary close fit and which moreover can be adaptedfor use under varying conditions and on different types of track.

The invention consists of a running or like athletic shoe having anelastic insertion at the top of its heel end and, in addition to theusual lacing or closure means for the front, straps attached to the soleadapted to be adjustably secured in yielding tension across the instepof the foot.

A further feature of the invention in its application to a running shoeis the provision of a removable and interchangeable spike carrying plateadapted to be inserted into the shoe so that the spikes protrude throughopenings in the sole of the shoe.

In order thatmthe invention may be more 5 readily understood referenceis hereby made to the accompanying. drawing wherein is illustrated ashoe constructed in accordance with the invention.

In this drawing Figure 1 is a side elevation,

partly in section, of the improved shoe, Figure 2 is an enlargedlongitudinal section through a portion of the sole of the shoe, Figure 3is a plan of the interchangeable spike carrying plates and Figure 4 is arear view of the shoe.

Referring to this drawing the numeral l designates the body of the shoewhich is made of light flexible but inextensible material such, forexample, as soft leather and is in the example shown provided'with lacesat the front in the usual manner. The rear end 2 of the shoe is shapedto embrace the heel of the wearer in such a manner that the heel, whenthe shoe has been a put on, is housed in a concave recess and in orderto ensure close fitting a triangular shaped elastic gusset 3 isprovided. This elastic gusset prevents any abrading movement of the shoeand moreov tends to hold the shoe as a whole firmly on the foot. Aflexible tongue 4 is provided preferably having a flap 5. Attached tothe underside of the instep of the sole a pair of straps 6 are providedone of these straps 6 being provided with an adjusting buckle of anyconventional form. These straps are attached between the sole and thebody or upper of the shoe and it is essential that the attachment issuch that the straps are free except for the attachment to the sole.That is to say they are not attached in any way to the sides of theupper or body of the shoe.

A rubber insertion 9 is provided in one of the straps.

The sole of the shoe is provided with holes Ill and spike carryingplates ll of steel or other sufiiciently strong flexible material withspikes rigidly attached are provided and adapted to be introduced intothe shoe so that the spikes pass through the holes. These spikes aresecured to the plate, and a facing l2 of thin leather or like materialis adhesively applied to the inner surface of the plate and upon thisleather foundation a pad l3 of sponge rubber or other suitable softmaterial is applied by means of a suitable adhesive although the spongerubber may be attached directly to the metal plate. The inside surfaceof the outer sole is also preferably provided'with a thin rubber insoleM into which the washers or enlargements l5 at the upper ends of thespikes tend to bed when the sole is in use thus preventing the entranceof grit through the holes in the shoe sole. Alternatively much the sameeffect may be attained by applying a gasket to the underside of themetal plate.

When the shoe is used for field events it is desirable to have spikesalso in the heels and in this case a spike carrying plate of similarconstruction and arrangement but of different shape may be provided asindicated in the drawing but for a shoe purely for running these heelspikes are unnecessary and may be omitted.

As before indicated for different types and conditions of trackdifferent lengths of spike are desirable and it is proposed to provideinterchangeable spike carrying plates ll so that one plate can besubstituted for another as and when required.

In operation the shoe, after the appropriate spike plate has beeninserted in position is put on in the usual way and is then laced up toa comfortable degree of tightness. The side straps 6 are then buckledtogether until the elastic insertion 9 is properly tensioned. As analternative to lacing a zip-fastener can be employed but this willnecessitate elastic insertions on one or both sides of the front of theshoe.

It will be found that a shoe constructed in the foregoing manner can bemade in standard sizes, will be of light weight and can be adjusted toflt the foot perfectly, the side straps giving adequate support where itis required. This is an important feature of my invention and affordssupport which has hitherto not been attained in' any running shoe withinmy knowledge. It should also be understood that although primarilyintended as a running shoe the construction will be advantageous forother athletic shoes such as tennis shoes in which case of course a soleof appropriate form and material will be provided and the spike plateeliminated.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A running shoe comprising an upper, an outer sole attached to saidupper and having holes therein, a flexible metal plate removably andinterchangeably engaged in the shoe, metal spikes attached to said metalplate, said spikes being located so as to register with the holes in theouter sole, a yielding insole interposed between the inner surface ofthe outer sole and the flexible metal plate through which the spikespass, and a yielding pad of soft material arranged over the top surfaceofv the flexible metat plate.

2. A running shoe comprising an upper, an outer sole attached to saidupper and having holes therein, a flexible metal plate removably andinterchangeably engaged in the shoe, metal spikes riveted to said metalplate, said spikes being located so as to register with the holes in theouter sole, a yielding insole interposed between the inner surface ofthe outer sole and the flexible metal plate through which the spikespass, and a yielding pad of soft material arranged over the top surfaceof the flexible metal plate and having holes therein to accommodate therivet heads of said spikes.

3.'A running shoe comprising an upper, an

outer sole attached to said upper and having holes therein, a flexiblemetal plate removably and interchangeably engaged in the shoe, metalspikes attached to said metal plate, said spikes being located so as toregister with the holes in the outer sole, a yielding insole interposedbetween the inner surface of the outer sole and the flexible metal platethrough which the spikes pass, a yielding pad of soft material arrangedover the top surface of the flexible metal plate, and a leather facingadhesively attached to the metal plate upon which said yielding pad isadhesively attached.

4. A running shoe comprising an upper, an outer sole attached to saidupper and having holes therein, a flexible metal plate removably andinterchangeably engaged in the shoe, metal shouldered spikes attached tosaid metal plate, said spikes being located so as to register with theholes in the outer sole, a yielding insole interposed between the, innersurface of the outer sole and the flexible metal plate through which thespikes pass and into which the shoulders of said spikes imbed, and ayielding pad of soft material arranged over the top surface of theflexible metal plate.

GUY MONTAGU BUTLER.

